YES, YES, YES to this book! It lived up to ALL its promises —a haunting, gothic, dark romantasy with a touch of folk horror.

The main heroine, Lacrimosa, is such a soft character and really shines in the book. Her relationships with Alastair and Camille felt fully developed and the world….well it was unique and I’m not quite sure I’ve ever read anything like it.

I definitely recommend this book!

This book is luminous and sensuous—it gives me the same feeling as when I'm looking at a sweeping, detailed, moody painting. That's the only way I can describe it. The descriptions feel like brushstrokes and I can smell the salt air. I was utterly absorbed into the world and found myself wanting to know more about how the world worked, about each city and place mentioned, about the different gods we didn't encounter. Lark, Alistair, and Camille are a perfect trio, playing off each other and growing together in a beautiful, unexpected way. Every element of this story, every theme—finding yourself after rejection and revelation, building yourself a life after the one you thought you had is destroyed, finding love you didn't think you'd ever have—is so lush and I want to live inside the warp and weft of the fabric Clipstone has woven.

I have been yearning for a book like this. Something that drums on my skull and begs to be devoured. Despite my best attempts to savour this book, I read the entire thing in one sitting. Clipstone's prose is rich and dreamy, but never dense or contrived. Clipstone writes the way I dream of writing. At several points, I was compelled to read specific lines out loud (despite my companion's protests).

The world of Tenderly, I Am Devoured hovers between a nightmare and a dream. Horror creeps in like a cold front, transforming the almost-cosy, dark academia-inspired atmosphere into something much more sinister. Despite reading this book in 30°C heat, I could feel the cool, dank air of the caves, the bite of sea spray on my cheeks, the howling wind whipping through my hair. At points, the book is almost psychedelic—leaving the reader with the same sensation as the characters as they perform a bacchanalia.

I adored the snippets of Lark's past, and the slow unravelling of the mystery surrounding her expulsion from Marchmain Academy. There are so many different threads in this book, and it was a joy to watch each one unspool. Lark herself is a compelling main character, and it was so refreshing to see a soft, crybaby (complimentary) of a girl play a leading role.

If you enjoyed A Secret History, A Far Wilder Magic, or For The Wolf, you will adore Tenderly, I am Devoured. Expect a m/f/f poly romance which will leave you with bi panic, a dreamy chthonic God, and horror as ethereal as it is haunting.

Lyndall Clipstone's latest work, Tenderly,I Am Devoured, showcases her divine prose, by creating a cinematic experience within the intricately crafted world. The story is enriched by a raw, pagan belief system that adds depth to its setting.

Lark's journey of self-discovery resonates deeply, reflecting the struggles of emerging from a toxic relationship and finding genuine love. Camille serves as a warm, grounding presence, while Alastair, with his cold yet tortured demeanor, embodies the ideal love interest—passionate and willing to sacrifice for love. The exploration of polyamory is refreshingly authentic, and the casual representation of queer relationships throughout the narrative adds to its richness. I personally have not seen this care taken with polyamory in a fiction novel.

Lacrimosa (Lark) Arriscane, an aspiring artist and orphan, who is expelled from her prestigious school. She returns home to find her family in financial trouble. She is then betrothed to Therion, a sea god. Lark's wedding is interrupted, leading her to team up with the Felimath siblings—Alastair, the aloof boy who broke her heart, and his caring sister, Camille. As they confront dark forces threatening their lives, Lark navigates a complex and captivating romance, caught between her feelings for both Felimaths. The story features rich world-building, well-timed revelations, and a satisfying conclusion, making it a highly recommended read for fans of unique romantasy thrillers.

Overall, this dark and beautiful tale weaves themes of love and identity against a backdrop of sea and salt, making it a highly anticipated read for next year.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Henry Holt and Co. for providing a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Lyndall Clipstone continues to outdo herself with every book. Her prose is ethereal and delicate, perfectly setting the tone for the world she has built. It almost feels like watching a movie, with how beautifully she sets the scene. The World of Tendery, I am Devoured is thoughtfully laid out, with an intricate belief system that feels raw and pagan.
I continue to enjoy her characters as well. Lark is a character I understand. I've been 18 and reeling from a toxic relationship. I've tried to shove myself in a box to please someone else. And watching her unfurl with people who truly love her after that experience was so beautiful to read. Camille was constantly a warm balm, a calming presence to help center those around her.
And Alastair is everything I want in a love interest. Cold at first, but tortured. Desperately in love and will sacrifice anything for it. I love the romances that Lyndall Clipstone writes overall, but I am overjoyed that this one committed to polyamory with no pretense. That's something I would love to see more in stories, and it feels like many authors are still shying away from it.
The frequency and casualness of queer relationships was also very appreciated. It wasn't just one character nonchalantly mentioned. There were significantly more queer relationships than heteronormative ones.
Overall, this was a dark and beautiful story with the sea and salt interwoven on every page. I look forward to purchasing this next year when it's released.

I have no reason to be scared of the dark.” @lkclipstone

Tenderly I am Devoured by Lyndall Clipstone starts off as a dream, but its beauty gives way to nightmares- like the gods themselves. In the balance of beauty and horror, Clipstone brings us right to the misty seaside of Verse. As the secrets of Lark’s strange marriage unravel, she does as well. 💍

Expelled from her prestigious boarding school, Lacrimosa (Lark) shamefully returns to her home in Verse to find her family on the edge of financial ruin. Desperate to save them, she binds herself in marriage to the dangerous and fearsome Therion, the chthonic god worshiped by her land. 👀

When she believes she has nowhere else to go, she turns to her estranged childhood friends: Camille Felimath, a gentle girl welcoming her with open arms, and Allistair Felimath, her once best friend turned first heartbreak. As they clumsily navigate their renewed relationship, the three find themselves coming closer than ever to save Lark. 🦢

Tenderly I am Devoured will be released July 1, 2025. Thank you so much to Lyndall and her team for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.🥰

A huge thank you to Lyndall for this ARC!
Would you marry a god to help save the livelihood of your family? To say that this book was absolutely stunning would be an understatement. The story and it’s characters were so beautifully done. Lark and the love that she had for others, her fierceness, were a joy to read. The descriptions of this world were immersive; like walking into a painting and living inside it. Loved everything about this read!

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. WOW was this amazing. It had that dark heavy atmosphere like A Study in Drowning, Curious Tides and House of Salt and Sorrow. Very dark and cold, but in a way PERFECT to bundle up with in the fall. I love the romance, the unique gods/magic is intoxicating. I love the use of two timelines (each with a different tense which was an artistic touch). Once I sat down, I finished this in two quick sessions. I can't WAIT to get my hands on more by this author! A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

Tenderly, I Am Devoured is a quiet story. It’s the quiet of hushed voices whispering sweet words to a lover and soft waves gently caressing the shore in a beautiful cave, with fine mist delicately running its fingers over your skin.

Dark academia is one area Clipstone delves into, especially its consideration of art, and I found this element extremely fascinating. One prominent artwork reflects Lark’s path to self-discovery throughout the story, and how I envisioned this painting is engraved in my mind. It’s called The Dusk of the Gods, and I’ll leave you with your imagination to conjure a picture.

Lark must navigate her marriage to a swan god, and this god offers an endearing outsider perspective on her relationships. He comments on how interesting human behavior is, through bravery, sacrifice, and love. I would have loved to explore this theme more–what it means to be human, as it’s only accentuated toward the end.

Although the prose was beautiful, my only complaint is that some areas of the story felt too slow. I also would have liked to see more depth within the characters. Hugo was who I felt most drawn to out of the bunch.

I appreciated the little nods toward The Secret History and was fond of all the ribbons. If you loved A Study in Drowning, you’ll love this one.

Thank you, Netgalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, for sending me an e-ARC.

Thank you to the author for the e-arc!

Please check the trigger warnings before reading.

🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
Oh, my heart. This was absolutely delicious. Tenderly, I am Devoured is exactly what it promises to be- a haunting, gothic, romantic fantasy with a dash of folk horror. It just hit so many right spots for me!

Lacrimosa (Lark) was an amazing main character. It was refreshing to see an FMC who is soft and not one of the 'not like other girls' girls. Her character development was very well portrayed. Her relationship with Alastair and Camille never once felt like the stereotypical love triangle and was well developed. Lyndall Clipstone has created an immersive, intensely atmospheric world with breathtaking descriptions of the landscape and a unique belief system with chthonic gods at its center.

Art is a major theme in the book and it's full of art metaphors. As an art lover myself, I was here for it. Presented in a nonlinear narrative, TIAD also has a dark academia aspect to it.The author's prose is a sensuous feast. I came for the Saltburn vibes and stayed for the romance. I haven't read a good YA romance in a long time. This is what I'd call romantasy well done.

Overall, Tenderly, I am Devoured was a hit for me and I can't wait to dive into the author's backlist. I'd highly recommend this for fans of A Study in Drowning.

I knew this book would be special. One of those haunting stories that stays with you long after you put it down. Its narrative was propulsive while maintaining rich atmosphere and quiet moments throughout. I fell in love with Lark, Camille, and Alastair and even poor Hugo. With the most lush, enchanting prose I've read in a long time, Tenderly, I Am Devoured was an absolute delight from start to finish and easily one of my new favorites.

Thank you so much to Lyndall Clipstone and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for the ARC.

This gothic, Aquaman-inspired fantasy thriller offers a unique and original concept, with perfectly built tension, an intriguing mystery, and a captivating sapphic romance featuring an unconventional but compelling relationship dynamic. The world-building is fantastic, with sea gods, salt priests, and an unusual romance for Lark, who has feelings for both Felimath siblings. The pacing felt a bit slow at first, but it picked up in the last third, with well-executed revelations and a satisfying conclusion.

The story follows aspiring artist Lacrimosa (Lark) Arriscane, an orphan raised by her two older brothers, who is expelled from her prestigious school, dashing her hopes of becoming a museum curator. Returning to her debt-ridden childhood home, she finds her brothers arguing with Alastair Felimath, the son of a ruthless creditor and the boy who once broke her heart. With their home on the line, the only way out of financial ruin is a marriage of convenience—but not to an ordinary man. Lark is betrothed to Therion, a sea god, who demands she live with him in another realm.

However, the marriage ceremony is abruptly interrupted, and Lark is saved by the Felimath siblings. As her brothers leave to harvest salt, Lark remains alone, threatened by dark forces, including the sea god who still wants his bride. She seeks help from the Felimaths, including Alastair, who is as aloof as ever, and his kind-hearted sister Camille, who recently returned from boarding school. The three must unite to face the looming dangers, rekindling their childhood bond as "three musketeers" while navigating an intense, entangled romance.

Overall, this book features a stunning cover, a unique storyline, slow pacing at times, but smart execution. It offers a refreshing LGBTQ representation, making it highly recommended for those who enjoy original romantasy thrillers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group/Henry Holt and Co. for providing a digital review copy of this unique romantasy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is such a haunting and atmospheric novel. Loved the horror vibes and how eerie it was. It was written so beautifully. Lark isn’t your typical I can do it all fmc and I really loved that. It is told in past and present tense. I didn’t love the relationship situation with this one but other than that it was a unique and great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan for the arc!

Finally a book that is exactly what is promised!!

If I wasn’t already intrigued by the synopsis already, I definitely was by the first half of the book. In all honesty, this is definitely more on the slow burn side of gothic romantasy. The plot took a little bit for me to really latch onto, as there were so many layers to it. It’s been a hot second since I’ve read something so original, but this truly was a unique experience. Even with it being compared to things like Saltburn, there was still that element of chilling originality. This was such a trippy and immersive experience. This book is for those who love characters that aren’t just one thing. These characters have so many layers to them and change like the wind. My favorite thing about this book was that it was intentionally confusing at times. I love the flipping between past and present to really delve into this story. Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this in advance!!

This was unique and interesting! I really enjoyed this book!

This follows our main character as she returns home from school/college/I'm not sure (she's eighteen) to find that her family property needs to be sold. Her family owns a salt mine but it is now empty and they're in debt. The property is to be sold to a family that hers does not get along with, so you can imagine how happy she is about that.

But Lark (our main character) finds herself betrothed to Therion, a sea god...and you can imagine the chaos that ensues from there.

We get moments of the present mixed in with moments from the past that show how these characters got here (it also shows more information about their relationships and why they feel the way they do about each other).

This book was not what I expected, but in a good way (I think the gorgeous cover gives a different vibe than the book really does, but it's still gorgeous). This book is gothic and eerie and reminds me of Pirates of the Caribbean 2.

This was a good time and I was so captivated the whole time I was reading. I would highly recommend this book to anyone craving an eerie read. The characters were endearing and interesting (especially with their pasts) and the story felt so unique. I don't think I've ever read anything like this. And I love when that happens!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

First and foremost, this cover is breathtakingly beautiful and it (and the title) were why I immediately went to request this one. IT BLEW MY FUCKING MIND. Absolute perfection of blending horror and YA. This might have taken the top for my favorite read of the year.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Unfortunately I don’t think this book was for me, but I do think others would enjoy it. I loved the atmosphere and the overall concept but I didn’t care for the execution. I also feel like the characters could have used more development. The pacing was also a bit slow and at times I felt my mind drifting from what I was reading.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5

Tenderly, I am Devoured is a lyrical, romantic, and sweeping YA fantasy with a breathtaking romance, beautiful prose, and a propulsive plot that hooked me from the first line.

Oh gosh, this one was magical. The characters and character development were splendid, and I adored the tender romance. The LGBTQ+ representation and romance were spectacular, and I also loved the sibling representation. Lark is a relatable main character who instantly captured me, and Alastair and Camille hooked me with their personalities and depth shortly after. Therion was also a fascinating character who added a fun aspect to this story. This is a tender and emotional story filled with love, hope, and power that was everything I needed and hoped for. The plot was terrific, and the writing was gorgeous and immersive. The pacing was great, and the vibes of this book were everything. I loved the ending and cannot wait to read more of Lyndall’s marvelous stories!

Thank you to Lyndall for the free ARC!